Ten years of gratitude

We’ve been reflecting a lot this year over how far we’ve come the last decade and the special something about this journey…

1. Active and adventurous kids

It all started with the kiddos and our desire to bring them up eating the freshest and healthiest meals possible. They bring vibrancy into our lives every day, and every meal is a chance for them to grow and be nourished and strengthened for the big world in front of them.

2. Motivated and inspired parents

Getting those smiling and happy kids on the right path doesn’t happen by itself. We’re grateful for the moms and dads out there that share in our vision for helping kids of all sizes to eat better and healthier.

3. Freezing

The good ol’ freezing process has been Mom Made Foods’ close ally since the beginning. Freezing is the preservative that makes it possible to deliver healthy snacks and meals to kids without sacrificing time or quality ingredients.

4. The Healthy Eating Movement

The desire to have our kids eat better is shared by far more than just Mom Made Foods. We’re grateful for the community of businesses and enterprises who share in the belief that healthy eating and healthy kids is a cause that we all should support.

5. Healthy ingredients

From the early morning aromas that encircle you during a stroll through a weekend farmer’s market to the smells that emanate from the stovetop and oven on a cool fall evening, we’re grateful for fresh fruits, vegetables and meats and the suppliers who bring them our way.

6. Recipes that inspire

We’re inspired by the recipes we grew up loving, and we hope to impart similar lasting memories with our kiddos.

7. The Mom Made team

Just like healthy eating is a movement on a grand scale, Mom Made Foods is the product of endless effort by amazing individuals with a spectrum of talents that have helped propel us forward.

8. Our retail partners

We’re proud of the grocery chains and stores that are committed to providing healthy and convenient options for kids in the frozen aisle. Albertsons, Central Market, Fry’s, HEB, Hy-Vee, King Soopers, Kroger, Safeway, Smith’s, Wegmans, Whole Foods Market and more are helping change the way our children eat for the better.

9. Dedicated partners

We are indebted to more than just those who wear the Mom Made emblem on their shirts for getting our products on the shelves. We are thankful for the expertise our sales brokers, suppliers and other partners who are helping spread the word and making it possible to reach a wider audience every day.

10. Growth

From a cooler at a farmer’s market to thousands of stores across the country, we are grateful for how Mom Made Foods has grown. The more kids eat healthy and the more parents that have nutritious and convenient options at their fingertips, the better. Let’s keep it going!

Heat Mom Made Meatballs as instructed on box. Cut meatballs in half and lay on two slices of bread. Lay one slice of cheese on top of meatballs on each piece of bread. Melt cheese in oven or toaster over until melted as desired. Serve with your favorite fruit or veggie garnish.

Taco Night Made Easy by Mom Made

Kiddos and adults, all love tacos, right? BUT tacos can be messy. Well, we've got your solution. Make some tacos or taco bites with our tasty and healthy meatballs and you're well on your way to a kid-friendly meal with half the work!

Prep Time: 5 Minutes

Cook Time: 3 Minutes

Construction Time: 5-10 Minutes

Total Time: 15-20 Minutes

Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

8 Taco Shells or 1 Bag of Scoop Chips

1 Box Beef & Cheese Mom Made Meatballs

1 cup Lettuce, shredded

1 Jar Salsa

1 C Cheddar Cheese, shredded

Cilantro, additional veggies, guacamole or sour cream optional.

Instructions:

Heat Mom Made Beef & Cheese Meatball Bites according to directions on box. Place lettuce and salsa in taco shells or scoops. Position meatballs on top of lettuce and salsa. Top off with cheddar cheese.

Eat healthy, stay on budget, strive to thrive

With school starting super soon (if it hasn't already), we’d be remiss if we told you we weren’t in full BTS mode here at Mom Made's HQ. So to help keep our cool – and keep our family life on track – we created a few tips and tricks for getting a healthy meal on the table that won’t break the bank, and – depending on where you live – have almost everything on your shopping list delivered right to your door. Instead of waiting in line at the store, hanging out at red lights or piling all the kids in the car, you can relax, grab a glass of wine and spend some quality time with the kiddos before homework quickly eclipses these warm summer nights.

Tip 1 – Make your list ahead of time

Know exactly what you need before you head to the store. Pen and paper seem to be our tried and true method of note taking, but list making apps are super great too! Shelf Scouter and Any List are two of our favorites.

Tip 2 – Use online coupons!

Apps like Shrink are designed to hold your favorite product coupons in your phone, and reward you when you buy – no clipping required! There’s also some Mom Made coupons in the Shrink app (hint, hint).

Tip 3 – Meal plan

Take 30 minutes at some point during the week(end) and plan out what you’ll have for dinner that week. Our founder, Heather, swears by a meal planning weekly subscription with The Six O'Clock Scramble. Whether you create a spreadsheet with ingredients, recipes and the like, Pinterest boards of awesome crockpot dishes, or let the Scramble's service do it for you, you’ll breathe easier knowing that you have a few ideas when the week starts and the family inevitably asks “what’s for dinner?” or schedules have to be moved around because a soccer game is the same time as ballet rehearsal!

Tip 4 – Order online

Take advantage of online shopping to get your groceries delivered right to your door! Instacart and Amazon Pantry offer door to door service without getting off the couch. Fresh veggies, fruits, meats, pastas, sauces, and more are all available – often at the same price as your regular store. You’ll have more time to spend with the family, and no one tugging on you at the checkout line for those pesky M&Ms that just happen to be at eye level.

Tip 5 – Get the kiddos involved

Every chef needs a sous chef right? Let the little ones belly up to the kitchen counter and teach them the finer art of slicing and dicing veggies, rolling out dough, measuring flour and layering up lasagna. Classic dishes like meatloaf will really get their hands dirty (be sure to wash hands afterwards!) and baking cookies will make even the sourest of homework frowns turn upside down. Since older kids can handle some chores they can help with cleanup and setting the kitchen table. Give mini chefs a different job each night, so they get the full range of what it really means to be on Chopped Junior! Eat healthy, stay on budget, strive to thrive.

Thoughts from an 11-year old. Why eat healthy foods?

My name is Emory and I'll soon be starting 6th grade. I love to play soccer, ride my bike, swim, play with my friends, do triathalons and I also love to cook.

I believe eating healthy is one of those things that everyone needs to do. I have always been eating healthy, so that I grow more. One of the reasons I love eating healthy is because of all the happiness it brings.

Usually after I have a good meal I think, ”WOW this feels really good”, or sometimes after I eat a lot of candy I feel, ”Ohh I can’t eat any more.” Which feeling would you pick? I think that I would pick eating the healthy food, which is always the better choice.

As I get older, I have started to learn more about the world happening around me, and one of those things is that so many people don't eat healthy foods. Growing up with a mom that has an organic food business I have always been eating healthy. The majority of the food in our house is organic. Since I have been eating healthy foods for so long I learned to like them a lot. I love to eat fruit and vegetables, they are two of my favorite snacks. Fruits and vegetables are the best things to eat, they give you all the right nutrition that your body needs to stay healthy.

Knock, knock, it's your Mom Made Meatballs!

Gone are the days when grocery shopping was a time consuming trip to the store with screaming or sleepy kiddos. Now Mom Made and all your other favorite products can be delivered straight to your door in an hour. An hour, friends.

Instacart sends one of their trained shoppers to your local grocery store so you can stay home, stay at the game, or just stay out of the store! Did we mention Instacart has exclusive Mom Made coupons on their site? You're welcome :-)

These mini meatball skewers are perfect for summer. Made with fresh basil, mozzarella, olive oil and cherry tomatoes making it an easy dinner, fabulous addition to the picnic basket, party appetizer or potluck barbeque staple.

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package of Mom Made Italian Style Beef Meatball Bites

15 ripe red tomatoes

15 ripe yellow tomatoes

15 small fresh mozzarella balls

15 basil leaves

15 small wooden skewers

3 tablespoon Olive oil

1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar

Dash of kosher salt

In a large microwavable bowl, heat the Mom Made Meatballs according to directions on the box.

BTS Tips for a Healthy Lunchtime

Don’t just get back to school, get Back to You! Both Mom Made Foods and Lunchskins are committed to making Back to School easy, healthy, and eco-friendly.

With Back to School on the horizon, we know you’re already experiencing sleepless nights over packing lunches. Lunchbox and snack-bag woes abound at this time of year… but fear not! Lunchskins and Mom Made Foods are here with our parent-approved, super simple tips to avoid the packed lunch blues all year long.

Go Reusable & Eco-Chic

This Back to School season, go eco-chic! Kiss disposable plastic good-bye forever by investing in stylish reusable bags, bottles, cutlery, and containers. In just one shopping trip, you’ll make a difference… and give your grocery bill a well-deserved break!

Plan (and Pack) Ahead

Who else has nearly gotten frostbite from 7:30 a.m., “what do I pack?” refrigerator exposure? Keep the cold at bay by planning and packing ahead the night (or even the week) before. Keep it simple by planning on leftovers when cooking and put those reusable containers to work to store leftovers (both frozen and fridge-worthy) and cut up fruits or veggies for grab-and-go lunch and snack packs.

Get Inspired

Sick of the same old PB&J day after day? Pinterest has you covered with thousands of bento box, kabob, and deconstructed sandwich inspirations to satisfy your midday cravings. Follow your favorite food, mom, and family blogs on Instagram for creative ideas and easy recipes to keep the kids fed and your sanity in check! And don't forget - you can find us at @mommadefoods and @lunchskins on Instagram and Pinterest for mommy inspiration.

Get the Kids Involved

Nothing builds confidence and independence in kids than encouraging them to get involved in day-to-day tasks. Make packing lunch and snack part of their daily routine by stocking up on family-friendly, good-for-you favorites to create a “lunch packing station” on your kitchen counter. Your kids will develop healthy habits for life… and save you the headache of last-minute sandwich-making.

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Grab a 20% discount and free shipping with code "3GM20." AND -- now through September 30th (or until supplies run out), Lunchskins will include a free mini zip Lunchskins ($6 value) with any $25+ purchase on the website.

Have a yummy recipe, clever lunchbox tip, or stylish school supplies pic you’d love to share? Post on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook with #Back2You to show us how you get back to school in fresh, green fashion.BTS

Wondering where you can go to pick up some Mom Made for your Lunchskins? Click here to find Mom Made in a freezer aisle near you.

After many months of developing a great-tasting gluten-free noodle, we are pleased to announce that our first gluten-free product is featured in the Celiac Disease Foundation's marketplace. Our Gluten-Free Cheesy Mac is available for purchase directly from Amazon or click here to find a Kroger, Dillon, King Soopers, Fry's, Ralphs, or Smith's carrying this item in the freezer aisle near you.

Whether you’re heading to the Grand Canyon or the beach this summer, road trips never seem to be as fun as the destination. There’s the hassle of packing everything up and making sure the kids are entertained. But it doesn't have to be that way! We’ve put together our top five tips to make your family road trip more enjoyable.

Tip 1: Backpacks Aren’t Just For School

Have each child help you fill their backpack with some of their favorite activities like coloring books, colored pencils, electronics, a journal and their favorite toys. Getting the kids involved with the packing will get everyone excited for the upcoming trip.

Tip 2: Snack On

According to a survey from “Choice Hotels” and “FamilyFun” magazine, 73% of families consider snacks to be the #1 way to keep kids happy on road trips. Be sure to pack an abundance of healthy snacks so you’re not stopping every 30 minutes for junk food. With Mom Made’s Cheese Pizza Munchies, road trip snacks are easy and fun. Before hitting the road, wrap up the Munchies in a paper towel and heat for 60 seconds in the microwave. Then wrap it in tin foil for easy travel. Pack a cooler or bag of snacks like washed fruit and fill up the water bottles with H2O!

Tip 3: Power Up

The last thing you want is to hit the highway and realize that the electronics are low on battery. Also stock up at the library with books on tape and books for the car. Nothing like a “new” book for a child. Make sure to have all the electronics at full power and loaded with fun games, audio books, and movies for the drive. There are tons of apps out there that are great to keep the kids entertained while on the road. Check out “RoadTripBingo” and “A Family Matters” applications. “RoadTripBingo” allows kids to look for hundreds of things while you drive. See who can fill up their card first! “A Family Matters” is a great way to communicate with your children not just in the car, but around the dinner table and while waiting in line.

Tip 4: Play the “Old Fashioned” Games

Play the license plate game. Have a sing-a-long. Create a scavenger hunt - give each child a list of items to watch for while driving and have a prize for the child who completes it first. Count. Count red cars, black cars, police cars, animals, etc. Play the alphabet game with famous people, ie A = Amelia Earhart, B = Big Bird, etc, and talk about who these folks are as you name them. Play with aluminum foil – give each child a sheet of aluminum foil and have them make an animal, a mask, etc. Practice a foreign language. For more fun game ideas, click here http://www.momsminivan.com/bigkids.html

Tip 5: Give Them a Job

Keep the kiddos engaged by giving them a job to do every time you stop. Kids will love the responsibility of being the “Squeegee Master” or the “Cleaning Captain.” At every rest stop and gas station, have one person be in charge of cleaning the windows and the other clear out the car of any trash. Have kids switch roles every two or three stops to keep things fun.

How do you keep your kids entertained? What are your go-to snacks when you travel? Happy trails!

For the sauce, place Cucina Antica sauce and Mom Made meatballs in a saucepan and simmer 15-20 minutes.

For the zoodles, add the olive oil, zucchini, and carrot pasta in a separate saucepan and sauté for 5 - 10 minutes, until desired tenderness is achieved.

Separate pasta on four separate plates and top with sauce and meatballs. Enjoy!

Notes: Fresh zucchini will often lose moisture as the zucchini pasta cooks so be sure to drain any liquid that has built up in the pan. The recipe serves well as a leftover, but be sure to drain any excess moisture released by the zucchini before serving again.

My 7 year old son eats NO veggies, and hasn't since he threw up all his peas and his dinner in Kindergarten. I tried smoothies, raw carrots and edamame, which he refused and then puked up. It's all drama and a gag reflex, and incredibly hard not to be so mad, yell, etc. I obviously did something wrong when he was little, and now I am stuck. Any book suggestions, or advice would be much appreciated : ) Thank you!

I *totally* know what you mean! When my daughter was around 6 or 7 months old, a well-meaning babysitter gave her spoonful after spoonful of avocado (one of the few solid foods I had introduced to her at that time) until she threw them up. For a long time, she wouldn’t touch avocados. But she did eat other vegetables and fruits and generally had a balanced diet so I didn’t push it.

My best advice to you is: relax. What your son is doing is totally normal for kids his age. It doesn’t sound as though he has any swallowing problems, since you’ve introduced all kinds of tastes and textures, and it’s only vegetables he’s refusing. If you really want to be sure you can ask your MD for a referral to a therapist specializing in swallowing issues. What you have here is a classic case of a power struggle. The more you pressure, the more he will rebel, and the more he rebels the more frustrated you get…and the result is an out-of-control spiral.

Here’s how to get you and your family back on track: know your roles. According to Ellyn Satter’s Division of Responsibilities (www.ellynsatter.com), it is a parent’s job to provide what, when and where to eat. It is the child’s job to decide how much and – yes – whether to eat. That is all. As a parent, don’t pressure, cajole, beg, barter or fight. Don’t give in to demands to fix something else just so he’ll eat something, nor give a snack later when he might be hungry after forgoing a meal. Calmly serve a plate, keep your eyes on your own plate, and when dinner is over, clear the plates.

Easier said than done, I know. But bite your tongue, stay strong, and trust that he will go back to exploring and perhaps accepting vegetables as part of his diet. According to experts, it takes anywhere from 8-20 exposures to a food before a person accepts it (notice that I didn’t say “like” it – but rather tries it and makes a firm decision about whether the food is something they will eat or something they truly do not like). Other tips that help increase acceptance of a food:

Serve the same food in different ways. Perhaps he hates raw baby carrots but likes cooked round carrot slices, or julienned carrots in salads.

Serve it with something he likes. Maybe mashed potatoes aren’t so bad when they’re on a plate next to slices of lean flank steak.

Be liberal with toppings, sauces and sides. Broccoli alone may be “meh” to your son, but topped with melted 2% cheddar cheese or dipped in ranch dressing – yeah!

Be a role model yourself. All of your efforts may be thwarted if your spouse or another person your son looks up to refuses to eat his or her vegetables – or worse – badmouths vegetables and calls them “yucky.”

I personally am opposed to “hiding” vegetables in foods, since it only reinforces the notion that vegetables need to be endured and not enjoyed. But if you’re really concerned about the quality of your child’s diet, and if he isn’t getting adequate vitamins and fiber from fruits or other healthy foods, then incorporating vegetables into cooked foods is an OK option. One of the reasons I like Mom Made Foods is that while the veggies are baked into the munchies and sides, you can also see the individual veggies (the peas in the Cheesy Mac) and taste the distinct flavors (like celery in the Turkey Meatballs).

For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing all the right things by being so concerned about your son’s health and nutrition!

For generations mac and cheese has been a favorite for families. Thinking of the creamy and cheesy smell mixed with pasta makes kids', adults' and even the pickiest eaters' mouths water. At first glance, mac and cheese appears to be made up of simple and wholesome foods: pasta, cheese, milk, flour, butter and sometimes breadcrumbs. But, these nutrients along with some hidden ingredients quickly add up... Before you know it, you polished off a box of mac and cheese containing more than 1,000 calories! See how Mom Made's Cheesy Mac compares...

A single box of mac and cheese has five times more calories and four times more sodium than Mom Made's Cheesy Mac. Boxed mac also often contains artificial yellow dye #5. In comparison, Mom Made's is 100% organic and contains sweet potato and butternut squash purees, along with whole fresh peas (and of course nothing artificial!)

Make a smarter decision and still enjoy! Find Mom Made's Cheesy Mac in the freezer aisle of many stores near you. Don't give up mac and cheese.

Maybe the only green food your child eats is mint chocolate chip ice cream. It's easy to get frustrated when your child eats a limited diet, but it's not too late to learn new habits!

Get your children involved: Even little ones can tear lettuce and wash fruit. Older children can stir or help with chopping things up (under your watchful eyes, of course!) . Let your child be a taste tester. Most children will try what they help prepare.

Focus on colors and flavors: Rather than saying, "Do you like your broccoli?," ask if it was crunchy, sweet, bitter or sour. Ask what other foods are the same color. This often helps children focus beyond yummy or yucky.

via cathe.com

Decisions, decisions: Bring your little helper to the grocery store, and let them pick the fruit or vegetable you'll make that week. Let them choose what to have for snack. The trick is to give two good options, i.e. "Should we have apples or pears for a snack?"

via parentsavvy.com

Slurp up veggies with soup: Many children like veggies better as part of a soup! Adding carrots, celery and potatoes to chicken noodle soup is a start, or try a bean soup or minestrone. Yummm....

via crosseandblackwell.co.uk

Get growin'! Sprout a seed or even grow a tomato plant and help your child get interested in fruits and vegetables. If you can, take a trip to a local farm for apple, pumpkin or berry picking.

via klme.wordpress.com

What's in a name? Goblin goop may sound more fun than sweet potatoes. Be creative and come up with your own names for new foods!

via drawception.com

Make it fun! Most kids like to dip their food. Let them dip broccoli, carrots, celery and other veggies or Mom Made Meatball Bites and more into ranch dressing, sour cream dip, hummus, guacamole, mild salsa, or plain or vanilla yogurt, etc.

via parentables.howstuffworks.com

cheesy mac

Use more veggie ingredients: Make sweet potato "fries" instead of French fries with dinner. Add butternut squash to Mac and Cheese, add corn, peppers and tomatoes to rice and beans, or let Mom Made make it easy with Mom Made™ Meals.

Have "make your own" yogurt sundaes: Take a scoop of vanilla yogurt, and add toppings like blueberries, bananas, strawberries, pineapple or crushed graham crackers. Fresh or frozen fruit in its own juices are delicious too.

The busy schedules of both parents and kids make it difficult to have "family dinners" regularly. The benefits that come with regularly eating together at the table are a good reminder why the effort is so important. These are our top 5 reasons why you should make family dinners a priority:

1. Children who routinely have family dinners are less likely to start smoking and drinking, or have an eating disorder.

2. It takes 8-10 times of trying something new before kids develop a taste for it.

3. Studies show that setting time aside to have a family dinner can reduce stress.

4. Use dinner-time to get to know what's going on with your family members and stay close to them. Ask about the best part of their day and anything they might need help with.

5. Gratitude is strongly associated with happiness, and family meals are a great time to practice it. Have everyone at the table name one reason they're thankful today.

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